I started this blog on August 21, 2012, with the release of my first book, Titan Encounter. Most of those posts are now in what I call the “Early Blog.” I’m gradually updating their format and bringing them into this new journal. Back then the sole purpose of the blog was to promote my books, but gradually that changed.
That’s how it started but, over the years, I’ve mused about other things that are important to me, such as my family, my farm, rural life, and occasionally about politics and country. However, I try to limit the politics in this journal. If you want to know more about my political leaning go to The Conservative Alternative.
On February 23rd I had the pleasure of speaking at the Oregon Christian Writers one-day winter conference in Salem, Oregon.
I arrived about thirty minutes late due to an accident on the freeway but, after checking in, I entered the main auditorium and listened to the keynote speaker, Carrie Stuart Parks.
Read MoreFor many years the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference was the only conference that I attended.
These last few years I regularly attend more events, but OCW is the one where I feel most at home. I have friends here. Don’t misunderstand me; this is not some small gathering of casual writers. A few years ago I was eating lunch in the main hall and Frank Peretti asked to sit at my table. I can’t remember what I ate, but I’ll never forget our conversation about his books and writing in general.
Read MoreTonight the Cascade Awards were presented at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference.
During the awards dinner, I sat with friends Barbara Blakey and Kristie Kandoll. Barbara is a past Cascade Award winner and Kristie was up for the Unpublished Historical Fiction Award tonight along with another friend, Julie McDonald. I really expected one of them to walk away with the award, but the winner was the third finalist, Kathleen Freeman, with her book Children of the Revolution.
Read MoreI had a chance to talk with author and editor Ben Wolf on my second day at the Oregon Christian Writers conference.
Ben edited my upcoming novel Seekers of Earth, and will be editing the second book in the series, Recall the Earth.
Read MoreI never set out to make book proposals to agents and publishers. I’m a successful indie publisher, what could a traditional publisher do for me? Well, I put that question to Sue Brower, vice president of acquisitions for Gilead Publishing, at the first dinner of the conference.
Read MoreOregon Christian Writers Summer Conference, Day Three
The third day of the 2015 Conference required endurance.
I know I’m late with my summary of the third day of the conference, but I have two things I must tell all of you.
Read MoreOregon Christian Writers Summer Conference, Day Two
The second day of the 2015 Conference ended with a critique session.
I started the day with the first session of a coaching class taught by authors Susan May Warren, James Rubart and Jeff Gerke.
Read MoreOregon Christian Writers Summer Conference, Day One
The first day of the 2015 Conference started with Boot Camp.
The morning started even before the regular conference with a marketing “boot camp” taught by bestselling author Susan May Warren and Nicole Miller of Buffer.com.
Read MoreI’m the kind of person who looks forward, not back, and the next occasion before me is the Southwest Washington Writers Conference. This one day event is scheduled for September 13th, at Centralia College. I will be there listening to great speakers, and also conducting a workshop.
Read MoreJust before the meal was served, only the seat directly across from me remained available. Moments later, a gentleman sat there. I thought he looked familiar so, I glanced at his nametag. It was Frank Peretti, one of the best-known contemporary Christian authors.
Read MoreI’ll be attending writer’s conferences in both August and September.
On Monday, August 4th, I’m heading south to Portland for the Oregon Christian Writer’s Summer Conference. This four-day event is jam-packed with nearly 30 workshops, more than a dozen coaching classes, and opportunities to network with many publishers, agents, and fellow writers. I’ll be blogging, tweeting, and posting to Facebook each day of the conference.
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